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Your Turn: Environmentalists can sway midterm election

Caroline Levine
Published 8:05 p.m. ET Oct. 11, 2018

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Ithaca Falls is among the region's most accessible and popular waterfalls. After several days of rain, the 150 ft. tall waterfall is transformed into a rushing torrent of water.
Kate Collins / Staff video

Are you one of the 10 million Americans who care deeply about the environment but didn’t vote in 2016? Maybe you stayed home because you felt despair when you tried to imagine Congress doing anything meaningful about global warming. I get it. The two parties can’t even agree over Christmas decorations. How could they ever find common ground on such a huge and complicated problem as climate change?

But let me ask you to put your despair on hold for a minute. In the 2014 U.S. midterm elections, only 83 million people voted. In this context, 10 million passionate environmentalists could make an overwhelming difference. We wouldn’t have to work to convince climate deniers or reach new populations. We wouldn’t have to commit civil disobedience or make huge sacrifices. We’d just have to vote.

Getting us to the ballot box is the goal of the new Environmental Voter Project. Their founder, a former political operative named Nathaniel Stinnett, was shocked when he noticed in poll after poll that registered voters who think of the environment as a top political priority turn out to vote in lower numbers than other voters — up to 20 percent lower. These are people who are already registered to vote and already care about the environment. All we have to do is to get them to the polls.

To be sure, there are some good reasons greens might feel reluctant to vote. I’ve often worried that there’s not much politicians can do about climate change, even if they were willing to do it.

But there is one really effective law Congress could pass: It could put a predictable and steadily rising price on fossil fuels. This law would prompt businesses and individuals to start investing in solar, wind, and other clean energy industries now, rapidly turning the whole marketplace toward renewables. Economists agree that this is the fastest way to reduce carbon emissions and slow the pace of global warming.

Right now is a great time to exert pressure for carbon pricing, because there is growing bipartisan support for it. Having both parties take ownership of the law means it could withstand political shifts, surviving the ins and outs of multiple administrations to come. This makes it a sustainable law for a sustainable planet.

And all we environmentalists need to do is to come out to vote in the numbers we already have. “If you flood the electorate with a bunch of people who really care about environmental issues,” Stinnett says, “that will drive policy.”

But don’t we need candidates who are committed to green policies? Not so much. “That person who never misses an election, they drive policy in this country,” Stinnett argues. “Regardless of who wins — even if you go into the polling booth and write your dog’s name—simply by announcing that you’re a regular voter, you become part of a very small and select group that policymakers care about.”

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A newly constructed cabin at Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca. The campground includes options for group camping and pets, as well as some amenities including electric, sleeping cots, picnic tables and fire rings. Kate Collins / Staff photo

Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca has 18 cabins and 25 campsites. The campground includes options for group camping and pets, as well as some amenities including electric, sleeping cots, picnic tables and fire rings. Kate Collins / Staff photo

A newly constructed cabin at Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca. The campground includes options for group camping and pets, as well as some amenities including electric, sleeping cots, picnic tables and fire rings. Kate Collins / Staff photo

A newly constructed cabin at Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca. The campground includes options for group camping and pets, as well as some amenities including electric, sleeping cots, picnic tables and fire rings. Kate Collins / Staff photo

Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca has 18 cabins and 25 campsites. The campground includes options for group camping and pets, as well as some amenities including electric, sleeping cots, picnic tables and fire rings. Kate Collins / Staff photo

A newly constructed cabin at Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca. The campground includes options for group camping and pets, as well as some amenities including electric, sleeping cots, picnic tables and fire rings. Kate Collins / Staff photo

A newly constructed cabin at Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca. The campground includes options for group camping and pets, as well as some amenities including electric, sleeping cots, picnic tables and fire rings. Kate Collins / Staff photo

A newly constructed cabin at Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca. The campground includes options for group camping and pets, as well as some amenities including electric, sleeping cots, picnic tables and fire rings. Kate Collins / Staff photo

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The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center and Garden Gift Shop are open business hours Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center and Garden Gift Shop are open business hours Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center and Garden Gift Shop are open business hours Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center and Garden Gift Shop are open business hours Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center and Garden Gift Shop are open business hours Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center and Garden Gift Shop are open business hours Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center and Garden Gift Shop are open business hours Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center and Garden Gift Shop are open business hours Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center and Garden Gift Shop are open business hours Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center and Garden Gift Shop are open business hours Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center and Garden Gift Shop are open business hours Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center and Garden Gift Shop are open business hours Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo

The gardens and natural areas of Cornell Botanic Gardens are open free of charge, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. In addition to flower and herb gardens, there are also gardens with groundcover plants, rhododendrons and vegetables and wild flowers. Kate Collins / Staff photo